WHAT’S ON IN APRIL
Mila de Villiers tells us where to catch the best of SA’s music, culture, food and comedy this Freedom Day week of celebrations
WHAT: Sophiatown WHERE: South African State Theatre, 320 Pretorius St, Pretoria Central WHEN: April 22-May 26
It was the era of shebeen queens and the iconic Drum magazine; gangsters and musicians; politicians and poets; jazz and journalism; the Odin Cinema and Can Themba: 1950s Sophiatown/Sof’Town/Kofifi was an indigent, yet vibrant multiracial urban community synonymous with cultural prosperity. After its successful run at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre, ‘Sophiatown’ will be performed at Pretoria’s State Theatre from April 22 to May 26. As per the Market Theatre’s website, director Aubrey Sekhabi describes the play as “a drama with music and not a musical play”. Audience members’ aural senses will be treated to the sounds synonymous with 1950s Sophiatown; think kwela, jazz and marabi, inspired by a determined people defying apartheid. The play sees a young Drum journalist advertising for a tenant to move into one of the rooms of the shebeen he’s lodging in. When a white Jewish girl from Yeoville takes up the offer, Sophiatown’s history — set against the backdrop of an authoritarian system — is theatrically explored. Tickets are available (at R100 a pop) via webtickets.co.za.
WHAT: Proudly Problematic WHERE: Isithatha Theatre, 12 9th Ave, Walmer, Gqeberha WHEN: April 26
The Proudly Problematic trio, stand-up comedians n Proudly Problematic, comedians
Ayabonga Kene, Ntobeko Ximba and Caramel Simba, are headed to Gqeberha — with a healthy dose of hilarious opinions regarding being, well, you know, problematic (read: toxic, straight and male) members in an increasingly socially conscious society. The okes do embody a sense of woke, and it is with sharp wit that the three will have the audience a-laughing and athinking as they cover/critique/lampoon topics ranging from relationships to the communities they were raised in to Mzansi’s class structures. Tickets to see the trio of woke okes are available from R100 via Quicket.
WHAT: Canal Walk - Let’s Roll WHERE: Canal Walk Shopping Centre, 490 Century Blvd, Century City, Cape Town WHEN: April 26-May 1
From Avril Lavigne’s Sk8erboi stans to roller derby fans to ‘80sreminiscers: Canal Walk’s Let’s Roll is open to the whole fam! Enjoy a weekend of old-skool skating sessions, featuring a silent disco with live DJs (on the Friday and Saturday), snacks, and drinks at Cape Town’s Canal Walk skating rink. Tweens, teens and parentals looking to roll their way into the long weekend can buy their tickets (available from R60) via webtickets.co.za.
WHAT: Soweto Braai Festival WHERE: Ubuntu Kraal, 11346 Senokoanyana St, Dube, Soweto
WHEN: April 27
Soweto’s Urban Kraal will be the chesa’est place in town this Freedom Day with both meat and music bringing the heat! Celebrate 30 years of Mzansi’s democracy with the whole family (yes, kiddies’ activities will be taking place at the fezzie!) dedicated to a synonymously South African past-time. This sizzling activity doesn’t discriminate, transcending — and strengthening — societal diversity across the board. Tickets for a day of braai’ing, bonding, and sweet (live) beats are going from R100 via webtickets.co.za.
WHAT: Harvest & Gin Festival WHERE: KZN Botanical Gardens, 2 Zwartkop Road, Prestbury, Pietermaritzburg WHEN: April 27
Bon vivants, this one’s for you! Head to Maritzburg’s Botanical Gardens on the 27th for a flavourfuelled day of gin, vino, food, leisure and merrymaking, ie the Harvest & Gin Festival. Following the successful turnout of past festivals, this year’s celebration of top-notch gin and grub has moved to the larger venue (that of KZN’s premier flora and fauna destination) and will include an even wider array of activities than before. Tickets for are available via webtickets.co.za.